While there was some opposition, lawmakers overwhelmingly voted during the special session to uphold Deal’s order through June 30, the end of the current fiscal year. Estimates are the suspension will save Delta about $40 million a year and other airlines millions more, but they will have to lobby again when the General Assembly reconvenes in January to keep the tax off jet fuel.

Delta said it would help Georgia better compete for business with other states that had no or much lower jet-fuel taxes. Legislative supporters called it a “tax cut” and said it could mean more flights and cheaper ticket prices for customers. Delta officials didn’t promise lower fares if the measure passed.

Delta’s lobbyists were busy and very visible at the Capitol during the five-day session.

Lobbyist disclosures showed Trip Martin and his GeorgiaLink team — which represents Delta — spent about $2,900 over the five days of the session on meals for lawmakers, including two breakfasts for the Senate Democratic Caucus, a lunch for the House Democratic Caucus, a share of a lunch for the Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus and breakfast for the Senate Republican Caucus.

The $20,000 in spending during the five-day session was fairly low for a period when legislators were in Atlanta. For example, lobbyists spent about $9,500 a day, excluding weekends, during the 2018 regular session.

But it’s a lot more than they’d typically spend in mid-November. Last year, lobbyists spent about $2,900 during the same five-day period on lawmakers, about half of which came from a single Georgia Power meeting with metro Atlanta legislators.